We would use it to get out of work or as an excuse to get more rest after working for only a little bit, and it seemed to work every time too!
However, as we’re growing older, the demands of work seem to pile up, and even if we’d like to take several days off, we find that there’s just so much more work to do.
Today’s motivation quote isn’t a call for focus or more work, or even work at all, it’s a call for rest, seeing as it’s the holiday season.
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ – unknown.
While this quote’s origins are unknown, its use is widespread and so well known that it has managed to remain relevant since 1659 when it was first recorded.
We know that you have spent the entire year working, with the exception of one or two days where you had public holidays and got one or two days off. For some people, those one or two days did not mean a break from work, but merely a ruse to take more work home and miss out on adequate rest.
It’s the holiday period, and we’re saying that you should take some time now, and after this period to properly rest and take care of yourself.
Its common knowledge that taking time to rest reenergizes the body and leaves you feeling refreshed, which can, in turn, increase your productivity.
Other benefits of good rest are:
- It reduces stress
- Reduces your risk of developing a heart disease
- It helps to boost your immune system
- It improves your memory
- It may even restore your love for your job if you find that you’re getting bored.
A word of advice though. While the phrase has remained popular over centuries, the author Maria Edgeworth added a very important suffix to the phrase:
‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy; All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.’
So take lots of time out to rest, but also don’t abandon your work. Just find a balance.
Did this article help you? What techniques do you use to time out from work? Share some with us in the comments section below.
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